Rib cage protector pad

ABSTRACT

The rib cage protective device is adapted to be worn in an endless array around the rib cage of the user for protecting the ribs and back thereby preventing serious blows from being received by the ribs and back during athletic competition or the like. The protective device comprises a pair of elongated and transversely bendable pads of generally similar size, configuration and construction, which are engageable with the ribs of the user. The pads are spaced apart and each pad has a pair of laterally extending edges. An intermediate band connects the opposing lateral edges of the pads and is engageable with the back of the user. Each pad and band is of a sandwich-like construction including a pair of outer layers of sheet material having interposed therebetween a centrally located stiffening element and a pair of yieldable or soft cushions on opposite sides of the stiffening elements between the outer layers. The longitudinal and lateral edges of the layers of sheet material of each pad are secured together by stitching and confines the yieldable cushions and the stiffening element therebetween. One of the pads is provided with a tab and the other of the pads is provided with an elastic strap, with the tab and strap including means for removably securing the strap to the tab when the protective device is worn around the rib cage of the user.

United States Patent [1 1 Hollman [451 Nov. 25, 1975 RIB CAGE PROTECTOR PAD George A. Hellman, 7127 Proctor Ave, Detroit, Mich. 48226 [22] Filed: Mar. 18, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 559,414

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cullen, Settle, Sloman & Cantor [57] ABSTRACT The rib cage protective device is adapted to be worn in an endless array around the rib cage of the user for protecting the ribs and back thereby preventing serious blows from being received by the ribs and back during athletic competition or the like. The protective device comprises a pair of elongated and transversely bendable pads of generally similar size, configuration and construction, which are engageable with the ribs of the user. The pads are spaced apart and each pad has a pair of laterally extending edges. An intermediate band connects the opposing lateral edges of the pads and is engageable with the back of the user. Each pad and band is of a sandwich-like construction including a pair of outer layers of sheet material having interposed therebetween a centrally located stiffening element and a pair of yieldable or soft cushions on opposite sides of the stiffening elements between the outer layers. The longitudinal and lateral edges of the layers of sheet material of each pad are secured together by stitching and confines the yieldable cushions and the stiffening element therebetween. One of the pads is provided with a tab and the other of the pads is provided with an elastic strap, with the tab and strap including means for removably securing the strap to the tab when the protective device is worn around the rib cage of the user.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 3,921,222

mu -s 4 .1IIII'IA'II RIB CAGE PROTECTOR PAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention.

The rib cage protective device is primarily designed for use by hockey, soccer, lacrosse and football players and by other athletes where it is required to protect the rib cage of the user without restricting the movement of the user.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

Various types of protective devices have been utilized heretofore. However, none of them have been provided with a pair of generally soft but firm pads interconnected by a soft band, with each pad and band containing a stiffening element and with the extreme lateral edges of the pads being provided with interlocking loop and hook fabric material in order to removably secure the protective device around the rib cage of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A feature of the invention is providing a rib cage protective device adapted to be worn in an endless array around the rib cage of a person for protecting the ribs and back thereby preventing the ribs and back from receiving blows during athletic competition or the like. The protective device comprises a pair of elongated and transversely bendable pads of generally similar size, shape and configuration, with the pads being spaced apart and having the adjacent laterally extending edges thereof connected by an intermediate band of rectangular configuration engageable with the back of the user.

A further feature of the invention is in providing a rib cage protective device wherein each of the pads and band include a pair of layers of sheet material having interposed therebetween a stiffening element which is capable of being bent when applied around the ribs or back of the user, the mating longitudinal and lateral edges of the layers of each of said pads and band being secured together by stitching to enclose the stiffening element.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a rib cage protective device wherein the other lateral edge on one of said pads is provided with a tab and the other lateral edge on the other of the pads is provided with an elastic strap. With such a construction, the tab and strap are provided with means for removably securing the strap to the tab when the protective device is worn around the rib cage of the user.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a rib cage protective device wherein the tab and strap are provided, respectively, with first and second interlocking loop and hook fabric material, the second fabric material on the strap being engageable with the first fabric material on the tab.

A further feature of the present invention is to pro vide a rib cage protective device wherein the stiffening element of each pad and band is formed from a plastic material such as polyethylene.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a rib cage protective device wherein each of the pads and band includes one or a pair of yieldable cushions between the stiffening element and a layer or layers, with the stiffening element and cushions being unattached and confined therein by the stitching of the edges of the layers.

2 Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a rib cage protective device wherein the elastic strap is made from a material which stretches in several directions in order to accommodate the application of the protective device to the rib cage of the user.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the rib cage protective device applied to the rib cage of a user;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the unattached rib cage protective device;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the rib cage protective device taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the intermediate band of the rib cage protective device taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and showing the sandwich-like construction thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through one of the pads of the rib cage protective device taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and showing the sandwich-like construction thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the elastic strap of the rib cage protective device taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the double layer construction of the elastic strap.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The rib cage protective device is designated by the numeral 10 and is shown in FIG. 1 applied to the rib cage of an athlete. The rib cage protective device 10 may be worn in various positions around or adjacent to the rib cage of the user depending upon the type of ath letic endeavor or competition in which the user is engaged.

The rib cage protective device 10 is shown in FIG. 2 as comprising a pair of elongated pads l4, 16 each of generally similar size, shape, configuration and construction. Each pad 14, 16 comprises a pair of longitudinal edges 18, 20 and a pair of laterally extending edges 22 and 24.

The opposing lateral edges 22 of pads l4, 16 are connected by an intermediate band 26. The band 26 is of rectangular configuration as shown in FIG. 2 and has a sandwich-like construction as shown in FIG. 4. The band 26 includes a pair of layers of sheet material 25, 27, as an example, made from Vinyl plastic material having a stiffening element 28 centrally located herein. A pair of soft and yieldable cushions 29, 30 are located on opposite sides of the stiffening element 28 between the layers 25, 27. The cushions 29 and 30 may be made from foam rubber or sponge rubber material. The mating edges of the band 26 are stitched where required to completely enclose the stiffening element 28 and cushions 29, 30. The stiffening element 28 may be made from a plastic material such as polyethylene. The element 28 and cushions 29, 30 are not secured together but are held together by the layers 25, 27 which are stitched.

The other lateral edge 24 of pad 14 is provided with a tab 38 which is integral with or affixedly secured to the pad 14. The lateral edge 24 on the other pad I6 is provided with an elastic strap 40 made from any of the commercially available stretchable fabric materials on the market such as Lykra". The elastic strap 40 is of a double layer construction as noted in FIG. 6, with the stretchable material being folded at 42 and having the edges 44, 46 stitched at 48.

As stated previously each pad l4, 16 is of identical shape, size, configuration and construction. Each pad 14, 16 includes a pair of layers of sheet material 50, 52, as an example, made from Vinyl plastic material having interposed therebetween and engageable with the inner surfaces of the layers 50, 52 a pair of soft and yieldable cushions 54, 56 which may be made, as an example. from foam rubber or sponge rubber material. Each pad l4, 16 further includes a stiffening element 58 made, as an example, from a plastic material such as polyethylene. The element is of the same size and configuration as the yieldable cushions 54, 56 and is interposed between the cushions 54, S6. The element 58 and cushions 54, 56 of each pad are of the same size but each are of a smaller size and configuration than the outer layers 50, 52. The element 58 and cushions 54, 56 are not secured together such as by gluing or stitching but are held in place in an unsecured condition by means of the continuous stitching 62 of the longitudinal and transverse edges of the layers 50, 52 as shown in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strip and the tab 38 are provided with strips 70 and 72 formed from fabric material, such as nylon tape, wherein the fabric surface is covered with minute hooks and minute loops respectively. When a hook armed fabric surface is pressed into contact with a loop armed surface, the respective surfaces lock together and can be peeled apart only by the exertion of a certain amount of force.

it should be appreciated that the fabric of strip 70 may be hook armed or loop armed, but that in any event the strip 72 should be equipped with the opposite armament. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strip 70 is hook armed and strip 72 is loop armed. The loops can be easily discerned by the fact that they form a pile surface; while the hooks form a surface that is harsh and unyielding to the touch. A commercial form of this fabric structure is known as VELCRO. The strips of fabric 70, 72 are fastened to the strap 40 and tab 38 by stitching or by other conventional means such as an adhesive.

VELCRO (VELCRO C.A., Fribourg, Switzerland) is a velvet type fabric comprising a structure including a plurality of auxiliary warp threads of a synthetic resin material in the form of raised pile threads, the terminal portions of which are at least in part in the form of material-engaging hooks; U.S. Pat. No. 2,7l7,437.

The elastic fabric 40 is of two way stretchable material used in body garments.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A rib cage protective device adapted to be worn in an endless array around the rib cage of a person for protecting the ribs and preventing the ribs and back from receiving blows during athletic competition or the like comprising a pair of elongated and transversely bendable pads of generally similar size and configuration, said pads being engageable with the ribs of the person wearing the device, said pads being spaced apart and each having a pair of longitudinally extending edges and a pair of laterally extending edges, an inter mediate band connecting the opposing lateral edges of said pads and engageable with the back of the user, each of said pads and band including a pair of layers of sheet material having interposed therebetween a stiffening element which is capable of being bent when applied around the ribs and back of the user, the mating longitudinal and lateral edges of the layers of each of said pads being secured together to enclose said stiffening element, the other lateral edge on one of said pads being provided with a tab and the other lateral edge on the other of said pads being provided with an elastic strap, said tab and said strap being provided with means for removably securing the strap to the tab when the protective device is worn around the rib cage of the user.

2. The rib cage protective device according to claim 1, wherein said tab and said strap are provided, respectively, with first and second interlocking loop and hook fabric material, said second fabric material on said strap being engageable with said first fabric material on said tab.

3. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein the stiffening element of each of said pads and band is formed of plastic material.

4. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein said layers of sheet material of each of said pads and band are formed of vinyl plastic material.

5. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein each of said pads and band includes a yieldable cushion between said stiffening element and the layer thereof which is adapted to be applied against the rib cage or back of the user.

6. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein each of said pads and band includes a pair of yieldable cushions on opposite sides of said stiffening element between the layers.

7. The rib protective device according to claim 6, wherein said yieldable cushions are formed of sponge rubber material.

8. The rib cage protective device according to claim 6, wherein said elastic strap is made from a porous ma terial which stretches in several directions to accom modate the application of the protective device to the rib cage of the user.

9. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein said stiffening element is made from polyethylene, said layers of sheet material being formed from vinyl plastic material, a pair of soft yieldable cush ions interposed between said stiffening elements and the layers of sheet material, said elastic strap being made from a material which stretches in several directions to accommodate the application of the protective device to the rib cage of the user.

10. The rib cage protective device according to claim 9, wherein the mating edges of the layers of each of said pads and band are secured together by stitching and confines therebetween said stiffening element and cushions. 

1. A rib cage protective device adapted to be worn in an endless array around the rib cage of a person for protecting the ribs and preventing the ribs and back from receiving blows during athletic competition or the like comprising a pair of elongated and transversely bendable pads of generally similar size and configuration, said pads being engageable with the ribs of the person wearing the device, said pads being spaced apart and each having a pair of longitudinally extending edges and a pair of laterally extending edges, an intermediate band connecting the opposing lateral edges of said pads and engageable with the back of the user, each of said pads and band including a pair of layers of sheet material having interposed therebetween a stiffening element which is capable of being bent when applied around the ribs and back of the user, the mating longitudinal and lateral edges of the layers of each of said pads being secured together to enclose said stiffening element, the other lateral edge on oNe of said pads being provided with a tab and the other lateral edge on the other of said pads being provided with an elastic strap, said tab and said strap being provided with means for removably securing the strap to the tab when the protective device is worn around the rib cage of the user.
 2. The rib cage protective device according to claim 1, wherein said tab and said strap are provided, respectively, with first and second interlocking loop and hook fabric material, said second fabric material on said strap being engageable with said first fabric material on said tab.
 3. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein the stiffening element of each of said pads and band is formed of plastic material.
 4. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein said layers of sheet material of each of said pads and band are formed of vinyl plastic material.
 5. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein each of said pads and band includes a yieldable cushion between said stiffening element and the layer thereof which is adapted to be applied against the rib cage or back of the user.
 6. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein each of said pads and band includes a pair of yieldable cushions on opposite sides of said stiffening element between the layers.
 7. The rib protective device according to claim 6, wherein said yieldable cushions are formed of sponge rubber material.
 8. The rib cage protective device according to claim 6, wherein said elastic strap is made from a porous material which stretches in several directions to accommodate the application of the protective device to the rib cage of the user.
 9. The rib cage protective device according to claim 2, wherein said stiffening element is made from polyethylene, said layers of sheet material being formed from vinyl plastic material, a pair of soft yieldable cushions interposed between said stiffening elements and the layers of sheet material, said elastic strap being made from a material which stretches in several directions to accommodate the application of the protective device to the rib cage of the user.
 10. The rib cage protective device according to claim 9, wherein the mating edges of the layers of each of said pads and band are secured together by stitching and confines therebetween said stiffening element and cushions. 